Using the compiler

The interface to chicken is intentionally simple. System dependent makefiles, shell-scripts or batch-files should perform any necessary steps before and after invocation of chicken. A program named csc provides a more convenient and concise interface to the Scheme- and C-compilers and linker. Enter

csc -help

on the command line for more information.

Compiler command line format

chicken FILENAME {OPTION}

FILENAME is the complete pathname of the source file that is to be translated into C. A filename argument of - specifies that the source text should be read from standard input. Note that the filename has to be the first argument to chicken.

Enable block-compilation. When this option is specified, the compiler assumes that global variables are not modified outside this compilation-unit. Specifically, toplevel bindings are not seen by eval and unused toplevel bindings are removed.

-case-insensitive

Enables the reader to read symbols case insensitive. The default is to read case sensitive (in violation of R5RS). This option registers the case-insensitive feature identifier.

Enables one or more compiler debugging modes. MODES is a string of characters that select debugging information about the compiler that will be printed to standard output.

t show time needed for compilation
b show breakdown of time needed for each compiler pass
o show performed optimizations
r show invocation parameters
s show program-size information and other statistics
a show node-matching during simplification
p show execution of compiler sub-passes
l show lambda-lifting information
m show GC statistics during compilation
n print the line-number database
c print every expression before macro-expansion
u lists all unassigned global variable references
d lists all assigned global variables
x display information about experimental features
D when printing nodes, use node-tree output
N show the real-name mapping table
0 show database before lambda-lifting pass
T show expressions after converting to node tree
L show expressions after lambda-lifting
M show syntax-/runtime-requirements
1 show source expressions
2 show canonicalized expressions
3 show expressions converted into CPS
4 show database after each analysis pass
5 show expressions after each optimization pass
6 show expressions after each inlining pass
7 show expressions after complete optimization
8 show database after final analysis
9 show expressions after closure conversion

-debug-level LEVEL

Selects amount of debug-information. LEVEL should be an integer.

-debug-level 0 is equivalent to -no-trace -no-lambda-info
-debug-level 1 is equivalent to -no-trace
-debug-level 2 does nothing (the default)

-disable-interrupts

Equivalent to the (disable-interrupts) declaration. No interrupt-checks are generated for compiled programs.

-disable-stack-overflow-checks

Disables detection of stack overflows. This is equivalent to running the compiled executable with the -:o runtime option.

-disable-warning CLASS

Disables specific class of warnings, may be given multiple times. The following classes are defined:

This option should be used when compiling files intended to be loaded dynamically into a running Scheme program.

-epilogue FILENAME

Includes the file named FILENAME at the end of the compiled source file. The include-path is not searched. This option may be given multiple times.

-emit-external-prototypes-first

Emit prototypes for callbacks defined with define-external before any other foreign declarations. This is sometimes useful, when C/C++ code embedded into the a Scheme program has to access the callbacks. By default the prototypes are emitted after foreign declarations.

-emit-import-library MODULE

Specifies that an import library named MODULE.import.scm for the named module should be generated (equivalent to using the emit-import-library declaration).

-emit-inline-file FILENAME

Write procedures that can be globally inlined in internal form to FILENAME, if global inlining is enabled. Implies -inline -local.

-explicit-use

Disables automatic use of the units library, eval and extras. Use this option if compiling a library unit instead of an application unit.

-extend FILENAME

Loads a Scheme source file or compiled Scheme program (on systems that support it) before compilation commences. This feature can be used to extend the compiler. This option may be given multiple times. The file is also searched in the current include path and in the extension-repository.

-feature SYMBOL

Registers SYMBOL to be a valid feature identifier for cond-expand. Multiple symbols may be given, if comma-separated.

-fixnum-arithmetic

Equivalent to (fixnum-arithmetic) declaration. Assume all mathematical operations use small integer arguments.

-heap-size NUMBER

Sets a fixed heap size of the generated executable to NUMBER bytes. The parameter may be followed by a M (m) or K (k) suffix which stand for mega- and kilobytes, respectively. The default heap size is 5 kilobytes. Note that only half of it is in use at every given time.

-heap-initial-size NUMBER

Sets the size that the heap of the compiled application should have at startup time.

-heap-growth PERCENTAGE

Sets the heap-growth rate for the compiled program at compile time (see: -:hg).

-heap-shrinkage PERCENTAGE

Sets the heap-shrinkage rate for the compiled program at compile time (see: -:hs).

-help

Print a summary of available options and the format of the command line parameters and exit the compiler.

-ignore-repository

Do not load any extensions from the repository (treat repository as empty). Also do not consult compiled (only interpreted) import libraries in import forms.

-include-path PATHNAME

Specifies an additional search path for files included via the include special form. This option may be given multiple times. If the environment variable CHICKEN_INCLUDE_PATH is set, it should contain a list of alternative include pathnames separated by ;.

-inline

Enable procedure inlining for known procedures of a size below the threshold (which can be set through the -inline-limit option).

-inline-global

Enable cross-module inlining (in addition to local inlining). Implies -inline. For more information, see also Declarations.

-inline-limit THRESHOLD

Sets the maximum size of a potentially inlinable procedure. The default threshold is 20.

-keyword-style STYLE

Enables alternative keyword syntax, where STYLE may be either prefix (as in Common Lisp), suffix (as in DSSSL) or none. Any other value is ignored. The default is suffix.

-keep-shadowed-macros

Do not remove macro definitions with the same name as assigned toplevel variables (the default is to remove the macro definition).

-lambda-lift

Enable the optimization known as lambda-lifting.

-local

Assume toplevel variables defined in the current compilation unit are not externally modified.

-no-argc-checks

disable argument count checks

-no-bound-checks

disable bound variable checks

-no-lambda-info

Don't emit additional information for each lambda expression (currently the argument-list, after alpha-conversion/renaming).

-no-parentheses-synonyms STYLE

Disables list delimiter synonyms, [..] and {...} for (...).

-no-procedure-checks

disable procedure call checks

-no-procedure-checks-for-usual-bindings

disable procedure call checks only for usual bindings

-no-symbol-escape

Disables support for escaped symbols, the |...| form.

-no-trace

Disable generation of tracing information. If a compiled executable should halt due to a runtime error, then a list of the name and the line-number (if available) of the last procedure calls is printed, unless -no-trace is specified. With this option the generated code is slightly faster.

-no-warnings

Disable generation of compiler warnings.

-nursery NUMBER

-stack-size NUMBER

Sets the size of the first heap-generation of the generated executable to NUMBER bytes. The parameter may be followed by a M (m) or K (k) suffix. The default stack-size depends on the target platform.

-optimize-leaf-routines

Enable leaf routine optimization.

-optimize-level LEVEL

Enables certain sets of optimization options. LEVEL should be an integer.

-optimize-level 0 does nothing.
-optimize-level 1 is equivalent to -optimize-leaf-routines
-optimize-level 2 is currently the same as -optimize-level 1
-optimize-level 3 is equivalent to -optimize-leaf-routines -local -inline
-optimize-level 4 is equivalent to -optimize-leaf-routines -local -inline -unsafe

-output-file FILENAME

Specifies the pathname of the generated C file. Default is FILENAME.c.

-postlude EXPRESSIONS

Add EXPRESSIONS after all other toplevel expressions in the compiled file. This option may be given multiple times. Processing of this option takes place after processing of -epilogue.

-prelude EXPRESSIONS

Add EXPRESSIONS before all other toplevel expressions in the compiled file. This option may be given multiple times. Processing of this option takes place before processing of -prologue.

-profile

-accumulate-profile

Instruments the source code to count procedure calls and execution times. After the program terminates (either via an explicit exit or implicitly), profiling statistics are written to a file named PROFILE. Each line of the generated file contains a list with the procedure name, the number of calls and the time spent executing it. Use the chicken-profile program to display the profiling information in a more user-friendly form. Enter chicken-profile with no arguments at the command line to get a list of available options. The -accumulate-profile option is similar to -profile, but the resulting profile information will be appended to any existing PROFILE file. chicken-profile will merge and sum up the accumulated timing information, if several entries for the same procedure calls exist.

-profile-name FILENAME

Specifies name of the generated profile information (which defaults to PROFILE. Implies -profile.

-prologue FILENAME

Includes the file named FILENAME at the start of the compiled source file. The include-path is not searched. This option may be given multiple times.

Disables the generation of any implicit code that uses the Scheme libraries (that is all runtime system files besides runtime.c and chicken.h).

-require-extension NAME

Loads the extension NAME before the compilation process commences. This is identical to adding (require-extension NAME) at the start of the compiled program. If -uses NAME is also given on the command line, then any occurrences of -require-extension NAME are replaced with (declare (uses NAME)). Multiple names may be given and should be separated by ,.

-setup-mode

When locating extension, search the current directory first. By default, extensions are located first in the extension repository, where chicken-install stores compiled extensions and their associated metadata.

-scrutinize

Enable simple flow-analysis to catch common type errors and argument/result mismatches. You can also use the scrutinize declaration to enable scrutiny.

-static-extension NAME

similar to -require-extension NAME, but links extension statically (also applies for an explicit (require-extension NAME)).

Makes macros also available at run-time. By default macros are not available at run-time.

-to-stdout

Write compiled code to standard output instead of creating a .c file.

-unit NAME

Compile this file as a library unit. Equivalent to -prelude "(declare (unit NAME))"

-unsafe

Disable runtime safety checks.

-unsafe-libraries

Marks the generated file for being linked with the unsafe runtime system. This should be used when generating shared object files that are to be loaded dynamically. If the marker is present, any attempt to load code compiled with this option will signal an error.

-uses NAME

Use definitions from the library unit NAME. This is equivalent to -prelude "(declare (uses NAME))". Multiple arguments may be given, separated by ,.

-no-usual-integrations

Specifies that standard procedures and certain internal procedures may be redefined, and can not be inlined. This is equivalent to declaring (not usual-integrations).

-version

Prints the version and some copyright information and exit the compiler.

-verbose

Prints progress information to standard output during compilation.

The environment variable CHICKEN_OPTIONS can be set to a string with default command-line options for the compiler.

Runtime options

After successful compilation a C source file is generated and can be compiled with a C compiler. Executables generated with CHICKEN (and the compiler itself) accept a small set of runtime options:

-:?

Shows a list of the available runtime options and exits the program.

-:aNUMBER

Specifies the length of the buffer for recording a trace of the last invoked procedures. Defaults to 16.

-:b

Enter a read-eval-print-loop when an error is encountered.

-:B

Sounds a bell (ASCII 7) on every major garbage collection.

-:c

Forces console mode. Currently this is only used in the interpreter (csi) to force output of the #;N> prompt even if stdin is not a terminal (for example if running in an emacs buffer under Windows).

-:d

Prints some debug-information at runtime.

-:D

Prints some more debug-information at runtime.

-:fNUMBER

Specifies the maximal number of currently pending finalizers before finalization is forced.

-:hNUMBER

Specifies fixed heap size

-:hgPERCENTAGE

Sets the growth rate of the heap in percent. If the heap is exhausted, then it will grow by PERCENTAGE. The default is 200.

-:hiNUMBER

Specifies the initial heap size

-:hmNUMBER

Specifies a maximal heap size. The default is (2GB - 15).

-:hsPERCENTAGE

Sets the shrink rate of the heap in percent. If no more than a quarter of PERCENTAGE of the heap is used, then it will shrink to PERCENTAGE. The default is 50. Note: If you want to make sure that the heap never shrinks, specify a value of 0. (this can be useful in situations where an optimal heap-size is known in advance).

-:o

Disables detection of stack overflows at run-time.

-:r

Writes trace output to stderr. This option has no effect with in files compiled with the -no-trace options.

-:sNUMBER

Specifies stack size.

-:tNUMBER

Specifies symbol table size.

-:w

Enables garbage collection of unused symbols. By default unused and unbound symbols are not garbage collected.

-:x

Raises uncaught exceptions of separately spawned threads in primordial thread. By default uncaught exceptions in separate threads are not handled, unless the primordial one explicitly joins them. When warnings are enabled (the default) and -:x is not given, a warning will be shown, though.

The argument values may be given in bytes, in kilobytes (suffixed with K or k), in megabytes (suffixed with M or m), or in gigabytes (suffixed with G or g). Runtime options may be combined, like -:dc, but everything following a NUMBER argument is ignored. So -:wh64m is OK, but -:h64mw will not enable GC of unused symbols.

Examples

A simple example (with one source file)

To compile a Scheme program (assuming a UNIX-like environment) consisting of a single source file, perform the following steps.

Compiling your program

Running your program

If you get a foo: command not found error, you might want to try with ./foo instead (or, in Unix machines, modify your PATH environment variable to include your current directory).

An example with multiple files

If multiple bodies of Scheme code are to be combined into a single executable, then we have to compile each file and link the resulting object files together with the runtime system.

Let's consider an example where your program consists of multiple source files.

Writing your source files

The declarations in these files specify which of the compiled files is the main module, and which is the library module. An executable can only have one main module, since a program has only a single entry-point. In this case foo.scm is the main module, because it doesn't have a unit declaration:

Compiling and running your program

That should produce two files, bar.o and foo.o. They contain the code from your source files in compiled form.

To link your compiled files use the following command:

% csc foo.o bar.o -o foo

This should produce the foo executable, which you can run just as in the previous example. At this point you can also erase the *.o files.

You could avoid one step and link the two files just as foo.scm is compiled:

% csc -c bar.scm
% csc foo.scm bar.o -o foo

Note that if you want to distribute your program, you might want it to follow the GNU Coding Standards. One relatively easy way to achieve this is to use Autoconf and Automake, two tools made for this specific purpose.

Extending the compiler

The compiler supplies a couple of hooks to add user-level passes to the compilation process. Before compilation commences any Scheme source files or compiled code specified using the -extend option are loaded and evaluated. The parameters user-options-pass, user-read-pass, user-preprocessor-pass, user-pass and user-post-analysis-pass can be set to procedures that are called to perform certain compilation passes instead of the usual processing (for more information about parameters see: Supported language.

[parameter] user-options-pass

Holds a procedure that will be called with a list of command-line arguments and should return two values: the source filename and the actual list of options, where compiler switches have their leading - (hyphen) removed and are converted to symbols. Note that this parameter is invoked before processing of the -extend option, and so can only be changed in compiled user passes.

[parameter] user-read-pass

Holds a procedure of three arguments. The first argument is a list of strings with the code passed to the compiler via -prelude options. The second argument is a list of source files including any files specified by -prologue and -epilogue. The third argument is a list of strings specified using -postlude options. The procedure should return a list of toplevel Scheme expressions.

[parameter] user-preprocessor-pass

Holds a procedure of one argument. This procedure is applied to each toplevel expression in the source file before macro-expansion. The result is macro-expanded and compiled in place of the original expression.

[parameter] user-pass

Holds a procedure of one argument. This procedure is applied to each toplevel expression after macro-expansion. The result of the procedure is then compiled in place of the original expression.

[parameter] user-post-analysis-pass

Holds a procedure that will be called after every performed program analysis pass. The procedure (when defined) will be called with seven arguments: a symbol indicating the analysis pass, the program database, the current node graph, a getter and a setter-procedure which can be used to access and manipulate the program database, which holds various information about the compiled program, a pass iteration count, and an analysis continuation flag. The getter procedure should be called with two arguments: a symbol representing the binding for which information should be retrieved, and a symbol that specifies the database-entry. The current value of the database entry will be returned or #f, if no such entry is available. The setter procedure is called with three arguments: the symbol and key and the new value. The pass iteration count currently is meaningful only for the 'opt pass. The analysis continuation flag will be #f for the last 'opt pass. For information about the contents of the program database contact the author.

Loaded code (via the -extend option) has access to the library units extras, srfi-1, srfi-4, utils, regex and the pattern matching macros. Multithreading is not available.

Note that the macroexpansion/canonicalization phase of the compiler adds certain forms to the source program. These extra expressions are not seen by user-preprocessor-pass but by user-pass.

Distributing compiled C files

It is relatively easy to create distributions of Scheme projects that have been compiled to C. The runtime system of CHICKEN consists of only two handcoded C files (runtime.c and chicken.h), plus the file chicken-config.h, which is generated by the build process. All other modules of the runtime system and the extension libraries are just compiled Scheme code. The following example shows a minimal application, which should run without changes on the most frequent operating systems, like Windows, Linux or FreeBSD:

Let's take a simple example.

; hello.scm
(print "Hello, world!")

% chicken hello.scm -optimize-level 3 -output-file hello.c

Compiled to C, we get hello.c. We need the files chicken.h and runtime.c, which contain the basic runtime system, plus the three basic library files library.c, eval.c and extras.c which contain the same functionality as the library linked into a plain CHICKEN-compiled application, or which is available by default in the interpreter, csi:

This is naturally rather simplistic. Things like enabling dynamic loading, estimating the optimal stack-size and selecting supported features of the host system would need more configuration- and build-time support. All this can be addressed using more elaborate build-scripts, makefiles or by using autoconf/automake.

Note also that the size of the application can still be reduced by removing extras and eval and compiling hello.scm with the -explicit-use option.

For more information, study the CHICKEN source code and/or get in contact with the author.